According to a legislation gazette published in February 2024, the Customs and Border Control (Prohibited Goods) Order (2024 Revision) outlined import restrictions for rice, sugar, cement, omnibuses, radio equipment, bows, catapults, paraquat dichloride and goods depicting ganja.
Import of rice and sugar
Based on the Order, the import of rice and sugar is prohibited, except with the permission of the Cabinet, from countries of origin other than Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Honduras, Haiti, the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Countries, Israel, United States of America, Mexico and Venezuela.
Import of cement
The import of cement is prohibited, except with the permission of the Cabinet, from countries of origin other than Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Republic of Honduras, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom and Commonwealth Countries, Haiti, Israel, Mexico, United States of America and Venezuela.
Import of marine radio transmitting equipment
In addition to the above, the import of marine radio transmitting equipment for operation in the A.M. Mode only within the bands 1605 and 4000 kHz is prohibited.
Import of omnibuses
Except for vehicles not constructed or adapted for use on roads, exhibition vehicles, and vehicles used for construction, road maintenance, engineering, agricultural or earthmoving work, or the transportation of heavy goods or equipment, the import of a vehicle whose model year is eight years or older is prohibited.
Where the vehicle to be imported is an omnibus, its import is prohibited unless it satisfies several conditions.
Some of these conditions are as follows:
(a) doors for passenger use must be located on the near-side of the omnibus;
(b) no door for passenger use, other than one door for the exclusive use of the driver, may be located on the off-side of the omnibus;
(c) an adequate number of emergency exits must be provided;
(d) doors and emergency exits must be clearly marked on the inside and outside and must be capable of being readily opened from the outside of the omnibus;
(e) doors for passenger use must be so contrived as to be incapable of opening accidentally while the omnibus is in motion; and
(f) doors for passenger use must be equipped with handrails, steps and lighting of a strength and design sufficient to ensure the safety of passengers making use of them.
Import of goods depicting ganja
The import of all goods depicting or bearing, whether expressly or by implication, any reference to ganja or the ganja plant is prohibited, except where the goods depict or bear reference to any cannabis extract or tincture of cannabis.
While ganja appears to be the target here, there do not appear to be any restrictions on goods depicting the dangerous drug fentanyl, which is “a synthetic opioid drug with an ultra-high potency,” according to FloridaRehab. Cocaine is also not mentioned.
Import of manually operated weapons
The import of bows, catapults, or other manually operated weapons which are capable of projecting arrows or other missiles is prohibited, except that such objects may be imported when accompanied by a permit signed by the Commissioner of Police, by a natural person in connection with that person’s competitive sporting activities or the carrying on by that person of activities relating to the cultural or historical aspects of weapons.
Import of paraquat dichloride
The import of paraquat dichloride and any derivative of paraquat dichloride is prohibited.
Transitional provision
Where:
(a) before the date of commencement of this amending Order, a person entered into an agreement to purchase, or purchased, a vehicle whose model year is eight years or older, with the intention of importing the vehicle into the Islands; and
(b) upon the date of commencement of this amending Order, the vehicle has not been imported into the Islands, the vehicle shall be dealt with as if this amending Order had not come into force.
